TLC Corps

TLC Corps

The idea for the TLC Corps was formed in 1998 by 3 fine Al Shamal Nobles: Dennis Hooper; Bob Russell; and Laurie Niewchas. Noble Laurie returned from the PNSA that year he approached Nobles Bob and Dennis and expressed his desire to come up with an idea for a new Al Shamal Unit where fun and fellowship were the focus. A short time later Nobles Bob and Dennis were talking over coffee and the idea came up that perhaps members of this new Unit could convert riding lawn mowers into miniature Fire Trucks that would be ridden in parades. It took very little discussion before all three Nobles got busy with the planning and building. The TLC Corps was born!!

Noble Bob was the first member to get his unit road worthy and participated in the Leduc Black Gold Days parade in the spring of 1999. Noble Laurie and Noble Dennis very quickly followed and the Al Shamal TLC Corp was born. To this day it remains a unique unit in all of Shrinedom. We were created on the concept of having fun, while raising awareness of the Shriners’ Hospitals For Children and our attitude can be summed up in our motto:

WE RIDE SO KIDS CAN WALK

Since Dalmatians have traditionally been associated with fire trucks and fire halls, it was decided to adopt the Dalmatian as our unit mascot. Our Dalmatian, as shown in our Unit logo, is named “DAC”, which is an acronym for “Donations Assist Children”. To learn more about TLC’s real life mascot check out our D.A.C. page. The unit’s parade uniform is a yellow jacket or vest with black pants, unit badge, and a firemen’s helmet while our formal uniform is a white dinner jacket with a black vest, our official unit badge, and tux pants. Our official toast is the revving sound of an engine: RUMMM RUMMM RUMMM. For any Nobles interested in proudly wearing the TLC badge, our annual dues are $50.00. The cost to build a miniature fire truck from a new riding lawn tractor can be more then $1,500.00 however if you have a used tractor the cost could be considerably less. Each tractor is individually customized and reflects the taste of the rider. In fact one member, Noble Maurice Riopel, has built a larger tractor known as the TLC Hospital Train that will accommodate up to four riders.

New members of TLC are not obligated to invest in a miniature fire truck and we have a number of non-riding members who enjoy the fellowship of the unit. Part of that fellowship is our annual Oktoberfest fundraiser and our annual Christmas Dinner. We meet on the fourth Saturday of each month (except July, August and December) at 10:30 am at the Al Shamal Shrine Centre. Our ladies are always welcome to attend our meetings and to join us for lunch after the meeting.

If you are a Brother thinking about joining the Shrine, a current Shriner or a Shriner new to the Edmonton area and you are looking for a Unit that is low on formality and HIGH on fun, the T.L.C. Corps is for YOU.